Effigies burnt of Pakistani players

KARACHI: Minutes after Shoaib Malik's team lost the Twenty20 World Cup final to India in Johannesburg, Pakistan's angry cricket lovers burnt effigies of Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi to vent their anger.

In yet another incident that revealed that people here can be very unforgiving when it comes to conceding defeat against India, the incident occurred at the stadium where the Asian Football Confederation tournament is being played in Lahore these days.

Here in Karachi also, mobs in some places gathered to raise slogans against the Pakistani players particularly Afridi and Younis.

"What the hell! This is the second time we lost a match to India in the World Cup. Such a big match and such careless play from senior players like Younis and Afridi. It is so disappointing to lose like this to India," Kamil Butt said as his friends engaged in animated discussion on the final at a fast food restaurant.

Given the level of interest in the final, five-star hotels, fast food chains and small restaurants on Monday had all set up television screens and arranged special Iftaar menus to attract crowds as the people also broke fast during the match itself.

"We were so happy at half time because we restricted the Indians to just 157. On such a wicket we were sure Pakistan would finally beat India in a World Cup match," complained Shakir, a student.

IMO, if you are that mad at a Pakistan team after that performance, you shouldn't ever watch cricket again in your life.

Originally Posted by KungFu_Kallis

Peter Siddle top scores in both innings....... Matthew Wade gets out twice in one ball

i agree with you.
There so many idiots like this on both sides of the borders... its pretty sad.
I know same thing would've happend in India if they had lost as well.

Actually i have never seen such a drama back home myself even though i lived there for 30 years, didn't even see ppl celebrating on streets after their team win matches against arch rivals.I just wonder how if i ever actually missed something??

Those people truly are idiots. Considering that President Musharaff is also the Patron of PCB, I say he should lock all of them up and throw away the keys! After the kind of year Pakistan cricket had, these players should be celebrated for what they achieved. A new captain, coach, vice captain, and even a few players that one had never heard of took Pakistan to the Final (and beat two pre-tournaments favs in Aus and SL along the way). That they lost is disappointing, but nothing to be ashamed off. I am proud of this team and generally have optimism for a bright future to come.

When asked what the IPL means for seasoned pros like him, Dravid smiled and neatly deflected the question: it is a different world altogether, he said. "The other day I walked the ramp as part of a promotional event. When I started my career, I never imagined this would be part of a cricketer's life!"